Access to data

Conditions of access

Access possible after contacts with principal investigator/responsible research group. Data can be analysed at site and at times as unidentifiable files within the consideration of Swedish rules of data protection and ethical regards.
Primarily through research collaborations in comparative studies. Data access in other contexts has to be discussed with principal investigator. Institutional agreement needed.

Access to data

Conditions of access

Access possible after contacts with principal investigator/responsible research group. Data can be analysed at site and at times as unidentifiable files within the consideration of Swedish rules of data protection and ethical regards.
Primarily through research collaborations in comparative studies. Data access in other contexts has to be discussed with principal investigator. Institutional agreement needed.

First year of collection

1968

Stratification if applicable

Middle aged women were examined within the PPSW (Prospective population study of women) in 1968 and followed continuously with the most recent follow-up carried out in 2009-2010. Extensive examinations of medical records extending back to the 1920s and registry data are done continuously to track new cases and also to identify cases in early life. This gives the opportunity to measure life-time frequency of mental disorders, as well as predictors, risk factors and long-term prognosis of these disorders.

Base used for sampling

Regional sample

Geographical coverage and breakdowns

Gothenburg area

Age range

Representative sample of women living in Gothenburg aged 38, 46, 50, 54 and 60 years.

Statistical representativeness

women in Göteborg born 1908, 1914, 1918,1922 and 1930

Coverage of main and cross-cutting topics

The purpose of this study was initially to investigate anemia and health factors related to menopause, but has later also included examination of determinants among middle age women that have importance for the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia and other mental illness in high age.

First year of collection

1968

Stratification if applicable

Middle aged women were examined within the PPSW (Prospective population study of women) in 1968 and followed continuously with the most recent follow-up carried out in 2009-2010. Extensive examinations of medical records extending back to the 1920s and registry data are done continuously to track new cases and also to identify cases in early life. This gives the opportunity to measure life-time frequency of mental disorders, as well as predictors, risk factors and long-term prognosis of these disorders

Base used for sampling

Regional sample

Geographical coverage and breakdowns

Gothenburg area

Age range

Representative sample of women living in Gothenburg aged 38, 46, 50, 54 and 60 years.

Statistical representativeness

Women in Göteborg born 1908, 1914, 1918,1922 and 1930

Coverage of main and cross-cutting topics

The purpose of this study was initially to investigate anemia and health factors related to menopause, but has later also included examination of determinants among middle age women that have importance for the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia and other mental illness in high age.

Further Reading

Linkage

Standardisation

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM by American Psychiatric Association and other medical taxonomies. ADL-models also used.

Possibility of linkage among databases

The population study of women in Gothenburg is also collaborating with the H-70 study which started in 1971 as a cross-sectional study of men and women in Gothenburg aged 70 years.

Linkage

Standardisation

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM by American Psychiatric Association and other medical taxonomies. ADL-models also used.

Possibility of linkage among databases

The population study of women in Gothenburg is also collaborating with the H-70 study which started in 1971 as a cross-sectional study of men and women in Gothenburg aged 70 years.

Data quality

Entry errors if applicable

No major entry errors.

Breaks

Two new age groups, aged 26 and 38 in 1980-1981, were recruited, with the purpose of conducting cross-sectional comparisons over time. Also, women born in 1930, who moved to Gothenburg between 1969 and 1980 and belonged to the same date of birth as the original cohort, were invited to the 1980-1981 examination, which implied that 50-, 38- and 26-year-old women examined in 1980-1981 were representative of the female population in Gothenburg in 1980-1981. Follow-up examinations were also conducted in 1992-1993 (participation rate 70.1%), when two of the cohorts were 38 or 50. Further follow-up examinations were made in 2004-2005 and 2009-2010.

Consistency of terminology or coding used during collection

High level of consistency.

Data quality

Entry errors if applicable

No major entry errors.

Breaks

Two new age groups, aged 26 and 38 in 1980-1981, were recruited, with the purpose of conducting cross-sectional comparisons over time. Also, women born in 1930, who moved to Gothenburg between 1969 and 1980 and belonged to the same date of birth as the original cohort, were invited to the 1980-1981 examination, which implied that 50-, 38- and 26-year-old women examined in 1980-1981 were representative of the female population in Gothenburg in 1980-1981. Follow-up examinations were also conducted in 1992-1993 (participation rate 70.1%), when two of the cohorts were 38 or 50. Further follow-up examinations were made in 2004-2005 and 2009-2010.

Consistency of terminology or coding used during collection

High level of consistency.

Applicability

Systematic sample based on birth date. In 1968-1969, a representative sample of 1,622 women living in Gothenburg, Sweden, was invited to a free health examination. A total of 1,462 women, aged 38, 46, 50, 54, and 60 (90.1%), accepted the invitation and participated in the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg (PSWG) In 1980-1981, a follow-up examination was conducted (participation rate 78.9%). The study also provides good opportunities to analyse health, gender and longevity in a life-course perspective.
The study covers both longitudinal trends (change in individuals over time) and secular trends (changes in the population over time). This implies the possibility to study e.g. whether the increased consumption of oestrogenic hormones and new antidepressive agents in the population has influenced the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression and the proportion that are under treatment. The long-running follow-up has also made it possible to study the long term prognosis for these diseases and whether the risk for prolonged illness increases with older age. In addition, women from different birth cohorts are examined at certain ages to investigate secular trends in health related variables, such as obesity and dental health. The questionnaires have been changed as little as possible between each survey.

Applicability

Systematic sample based on birth date. In 1968-1969, a representative sample of 1,622 women living in Gothenburg, Sweden, was invited to a free health examination. A total of 1,462 women, aged 38, 46, 50, 54, and 60 (90.1%), accepted the invitation and participated in the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg (PSWG). In 1980-1981 a follow-up examination was conducted (participation rate 78.9%). The study also provides good opportunities to analyse health, gender and longevity in a life-course perspective.
The study covers both longitudinal trends (change in individuals over time) and secular trends (changes in the population over time). This implies the possibility to study e.g. whether the increased consumption of oestrogenic hormones and new antidepressive agents in the population has influenced the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression and the proportion that are under treatment. The long-running follow-up has also made it possible to study the long term prognosis for these diseases and whether the risk for prolonged illness increases with older age. In addition, women from different birth cohorts are examined at certain ages to investigate secular trends in health related variables, such as obesity and dental health. The questionnaires have been changed as little as possible between each survey.